stanley, dick's wife katherine, sadly, do see this moment, but today stephen, richard and cory today your nation finally acknowledges and fully honors your father's bravery. because even though it has been 42 years, it's never too late to do the right thing. it's never too late to pay tribute to the our vietnam veterans and their families. in recent years, dick's story has become known in air force bases have honored him with streets and buildings in his name. and at the base where he train so long ago in barksdale, louisiana, there's a granite monument with an empty space next to his name, and that space can finally be etched with the words, medal of honor. the greatest memorial of all to dick etchberger is the spirit that we feel here today. the love that inspired him to serve, the love of his country, the love for his family, and most eloquent expression of that devotion are the words he wrote himself to friends back home just months before he gave his life to our nation. i hate to be away from home, he wrote, from that small base above the -- but i believe in the job. he said, it